Press



Dec. 12, 1933.

w. STROBRIDGE 1,939,149

PRESS Filed Feb. 24, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Snventor Dec. 12, 1933. w. STROBRIDGEY PRESS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 24, 1931 nimu Jnventor 5 '@e Dec. 12, 1933.

w. STROBRIDGE 1,939,149

PRESS Filed Feb. 24. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 9% Dec. 12, 1933. w. STROBRIDGE PRESS m e 7 m m m .r n 7 .H a Z Filed Feb. 24, 1931 & Gttomegs.

Patented Dec. 12, 1933 UNITED STATES PA NT QFFICE PRES S Application February 24, 1931. ,Serial Nb. 517,979

28 Claims.

This invention pertains to presses and -more particularly to those employed for pressing garments or fabrics.

More specifically, the invention relates to a power actuated press wherein a constantly operating motor is employed to transmit movement to the movable pressing element,in the closing, heavy pressure applying, and opening movements of said movable pressing element.

I am aware that, broadly considered, presses utilizing means to effect suchresults have been produced. The present invention, however, has for one of its main objects the reduction to a minimum of operator fatigue. Onemeans to this end resides in theprovision by which the head, or movable press element, may be closed to pressing relation, but not to exert heavy pressure, through the actuation of operator operated means such as a foot lever which controls the power means,'including a friction clutch employed for this purpose. This friction clutch is again brought into use automatically for driving the press head to its'open position following the release from heavy pressure.

Another means for reducing operator fatigue resides in mounting a lever on the head of the press for bringing the heavy pressure applying is again actuated to release the head from heavy pressure. This lever, furthermore, has a novel feature in that it may be so applied to presses equipped with head steaming valves that it may serve the dual purpose of a steam valve handle and also as the meansfor bringing the pressure applying mechanism into operation.

Another object of the present "invention is to make the foot operated controlling means for the friction clutch inoperative when the press head :7 reaches its wide open position should the operator be standing on the clutch operating pedal when being raised or lowered, and a slow speed when the heavy pressure is being applied. By this arrangement a most efiicient utilization of the power input is realized. 1

With these and other objects and advantages in.view,jas will appear in the following specification, reference will be had to the annexed drawings wherein: I

Fignre'l is a side elevation of a press in full open position with parts broken away and in section and embodying my invention;

Figure 2, a similar view with the head lowered to that position where the'final'or heavy pressure exerting mechanism may come into operation, the dotted lines-indicating full pressure position of the parts? Figure 3, a vertical longitudinal sectional view illustrating the mainoperating shaft and the various associated elements;

Figure 4, an end elevation of the friction clutch 7 5 and operating connections, the parts. being in that position where the head has been lowered through the friction clutch to the full line positionofFigure 2 P Figure'5, a detail sectional view of the coupling so employed in connection with the friction coup n r Figure 6 a top plan view of the housing or cas-v ing for the various driving and control elements (gears, cams, etc.) and the various rocker arms and'levers;

Figure '7, a transverse vertical section taken on the line VII--VII of Figure 3, the parts being in that position which they assume when the head is fully elevated (Figure 1);

Figure 8, a' detail perspective view of a weighted rocker arm or leverand a cooperating member;

Figure 9, a" detail view of such lever illustrative of the lost' motion connection between theparts;

Figure 10, atransverse vertical sectional view 5 taken onthe line'X'-X of Figure 6, the parts being shown in that position where the head is fully .closed and under-final heavy pressure;

Figure '11, a view taken on the line XI--XI of Figure'fi, with the parts in a position where release of final heavy pressure has started, the cams being slightly advanced over the position shown in' Figure 10;

Figure 12, a vertical sectional view taken on theline XII-XII of Figure 6; I

Fig'ure"13, a perspective view showingin de tailcertain of the parts associated with the means for initiating the final heavy pressure and likewise for operating the head steaming valve,

the actuating lever being omitted;

Figure 14, a side elevation of such parts with the lever in position, together with certain of the actuating connections for bringing about heavy pressure; 7

Figure 15 a front elevation of the lever and associated parts;

Figure 16, a detail perspective view of the mechanism employed in conjunction with the friction clutch utilized for raising and lowering the head;

Figure 17, a detail horizontal sectional view illustrative of certain parts of the mechanism for applying or releasing the friction clutch;

Figure 18, a perspective view of one of the shafts supporting two arms or levers and other elements, the first arm being that which is associated with a positioning cam which controls the position of the second arm that in turn functions to position and withdraw the locking pin employed to lock one element of the gear train and to thus impart motion to the main shaft; 1

Figure 19, a sectional view on the line XIX- XIX of Figure 22 showing one element of one of the cams which are supported by the pins or axles of the planetary gears employed in the gear train;

Figure 20, a similar view, on the line XXXX of Figure 23, of the companion member, said members shown in Figures 19 and 20 being securedtogether and embracing between them the pins or axles just referred to;

Figure 21, a face view of the element shown in Figure 20 as seen from the left hand side thereof;

Figure 22, a like view as seen from the right hand side of Figure 19; and,

Figure 23, a face view of the cam member shown in Figure 20 as seen from the right hand side of said Figure.

As will be appreciated, the press is of the lever type wherein the head is moved toward and from the buck.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the base of the machine upon the forward upper portion of which is mounted the usual U-piece 2 which forms the support for the buck 3. At the rear the frame is provided with an upward extension 4 to which is pivotally connected a head lever 5, the pivotal shaft or connection being denoted by 6. A head 7 is secured to the forward end of the lever 5.

At the rear end of the head supporting lever 5 there is pivotaly mounted a bell crank lever 8, the lower short arm of which is in turn pivotallyconnected to the upper link 9 of a toggle, the lower member of such toggle being denoted by 10 and being pivotally connected at its lower end to a fixed portion of the frame. A spring 11 connected to the toggle elements tends to collapsethe toggle and draw the rear end of the head lever downwardly, thus opening the press.

To the upper longer end of the elbow lever 8 is attached a spring box 12 and from said box there extends a rod 13 which passes through a fixed cross bar 14 extending between the bifurcated forward end of the head carrying lever 5. A hand wheel 15 is connected to the rod forward of the cross bar and by turning said wheel the elbow lever is rocked and consequently the effective action of the toggle with reference to the lever 5, may be regulated. This arrangement As above noted, the press is designedto be operated by power. To this. end a constantly rotating electric motor 16 is employed, the shaft whereof may carry a balance wheel (not shown) mounted in a housing 17. The shaft extends outwardly therefrom into a supporting housing and casing denoted generally by 18 (see more particularly Figures 3 and 6 for the latter).

Secured to the shaft is a worm 19 which is in constant mesh with a worm gear 20. The hub 21 of said gear is keyed to the extended hub 22 of a bevel or sun gear 23. The hub 22 finds its bearing upon a bearing sleeve 24 mounted upon the main power transmitting shaft 25, which latter is supported in suitable bearings carried by the casing 18.

Gear 23 meshes with a series of planetary gears 26 and the latter in turn are in mesh with a second bevel or sun gear 27. This latter finds its bearing upon a sleeve 28 mounted upon the shaft 25. The gears 26 are supported upon axles or spindles 29 extending outwardly from a hub or spider frame 30 keyed to the shaft 25. A locking screw 31 (Figure 3) may also be employed to assist in holding the spider frame in place.

Keyed to the outwardly extending hub of the gear 27 is a locking ring 32 having a series of spaced teeth 33 formed about its periphery (see more particularly Figure 10). This ring underlies a bolt 34, the lower end whereof is chamfered and so formed that it may pass in between a pair of the teeth 33 and thus arrest movement of the gear 2'7 and, as a consequence, impart motion through the associated gears to the shaft 25. This arrangement of planetary gearing effects a two to one reduction between the Worm gear 20 and the shaft 25 resulting in a very efiicient utilization of the power input. This is amplified by the utilization of the toggle above described which is moved toward straightened position by a pitman 35' pivotally connected to a combined cam and crank disk 36 secured to one end of shaft 25. As will be appreciated, shaft 25 is normally free of any driving connections, and, consequently, the head '7 may be raised or lowered by hand for any desired purpose.

Primarily, however, this machine is designed to be operated through power mechanism, both in the raising and lowering of the head and such mechanism will now be described.

. Surrounding shaft 25 to the right of sleeve 24 (Figure 3) is asleeve 37 upon which in turn is mounted a hub-like element 38 (Figure 5), the enlarged end whereof is toothed as at 39 to engage notches 40 inthe hub 21 of gear 20.

Member 38 has mounted thereon one race member 41 of a ball bearing, the other race element, designated by 42, finding its bearing in a flange 43v extending inwardly from a supporting plate 44 secured to housing 18.

The member 38 atits ri ht, as seen in Figures 3 and 5, is threaded and the hub of a plate 45 is screwed thereon, said plate being provided with a plurality of outwardly extending fingers 46. Said fingers freely pass into notches 47 formed in a plate 48 provided with a hub 49 in which latter is mounted a thrust ball bearing designated generally by. 50, the race elements whereof are held in place by a surrounding band 51. Shaft 25 at this end is provided with a plurality of splines 52 held in place by screw 54, see Figures 3, 4 and 12.

A hub 55 extending from a plate 56 encircles shaft 25 and is formed with slots or grooves into which the splines freely extend, thus allowing plate 56 and hub 55 to be shifted longitudinallya washer53 and of the shaft and splines. Plate 56 has secured to its opposite faces, adjacent its periphery, friction elements 5'7 and 58 which, normally stand in spaced relation to the plates 45 and .48 and-form therewith a friction clutch, oneelement whereof, consisting of the members 45, 48 and 50, is constantly rotated through the construction above set forth.

The clutch is enclosed in a housing 59 (Fig. 3) and a rocker shaft 60 is verticallydisposed therein, the shaft at its lower end being seated in a bearing 61 while its upper end extends through a bearing member .62 mounted in the upper portion of the housing 59. Shaft 60 has formed upon it, or secured thereto, two outwardly extending fingers 63 and 64 which stand in alignment with the outer element of the thrust bearing 50, said fingers acting, when the shaft is rocked or partially turned, 'to force the bearing 50, and consequently plate 48, inwardly so' that the friction-elements 57 and- 58 respectively engage the constantly driven plates 45 and 48. As a consequence motion is imparted to shaft 25 through splines 52 and thecombined cam and crank disk 36 will be rotated, straightening or breaking the toggle as the case may be through pitman 35.

The clutch and its associated parts are designed to be operated and rendered effective (1) through a foot lever for lowering the movable press member to that position where the final or heavy pressure exerting mechanism may be brought into operation and (2) through power means for driving the movable press member to its open position immediately following the release from heavy pressure.

Secured to the upper end of shaft 60 (Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 16) is an arm 65 in the outer end whereof is adjustably mounted a screw 66. One end of this screw is formed with a socket toreceive the end of a plunger 67,,the opposite headed end whereof works in a housing 68 and against a spring 69. The plunger and housing form in effect a yielding link or connection between the lever 65 and an arm '70 extending downwardly from a collar '71 pinned to a shaft 72. Said shaft, as will be seen upon reference to Figure 6, is mounted in suitable bearings '73 and '74 formed in upward extensions of the casing 18.

Secured to the shaft '72, adjacent the bearing '74 (Fig. 6), is a collar '75 provided with an outwardly extending arm '76, the end whereof is bifurcated. This bifurcated end s raddles the upper reduced portion of a plunger-like element '77 (Fig.3) which works'in a bearing sleeve '78 mounted in the upper portion of the casing18. Extending downwardly from the collar '75 is an arm '76 between which and a fixed portion of the casing 18 is interposed a spring 76' (Fig. '7) which has a tendency at all times to rock the collar '75 and'thus force the plunger '77 downwardly. At its lower end'the plunger is provided with a roller '79 which overlies a cam element 80 having a high effective portion 81 which latter, when it rides under the roller, tends to elevate the same and move the plunger upwardly. As a consequence the shaft 72 will be rocked counter-clockwise.

' Secured to the shaft '72 outward of the bearings '73 is a sleeve-like element 82 (Fig. 8) having an outward extension 83 semi-circular in contour, the face 84 whereof is designed to cooperate with an angularly disposed face 85 formed upon a lever 86 loosely mounted upon the shaft '72.

. The lever 86 is counterweighted, as at 8'7, so that normally the faces 84 and 85 will be in contact. This arrangement of parts ,producesa lost motion connection between the shaft J72 and the lever 86, .the degree ,of which movement may be regulated by an adjustable .stopscrew 87 (Fig. 3) underlying thesame.

At its outer downwardly extending end the lever 86 is provided with a roller, 88 which, stands in alignment wi.h one end of an elbow lever 89 pivotally connected at. 90 to the lower end of an. arm or lever 91. .This latter lever is pivotally mounted upon a stub, shaft 92 secured at one end (Fig. 17) in a boss 93 extending outwardly from an upwardly exending portion of the main frame 1.

Lever .9 1 has formed integral with its hub a projection 94 to which is pivotally connected the upper end of a draw rod95 which at its lower end. is pivotally attached to a foot lever 96fulcrumed at 97. Said lever is normally raised by a spring 98 which underlies the same.

Lever or arm 89, which as above stated, is fulcrumed at 90 to the lower end of arm 91, is normally rocked counter-clockwise by a spring 99 and urges the roller 100 toward the edge of cam 36. The lower arm of the elbow lever 89 is also formed with a bearing surface 101 concentric with the pivo; point 90 and likewise formed with an abutment or stop face 102. These faces are designed to coactwith roller 88 carried by lever 86;

The parts just mentioned are employed to operate the friction clutch heretofore described when the foot lever 96 is depressed, whereby the lever-91 is moved counter-clockwise from the position shown in Figures 1 and '7 to the position shown in Figures '2 and 4 in which latter the head has been moved downwardly through the action of the friction clutch to a position where final heavy pressure may be exerted through the gearing when the same is rendered effective through the actuation of certain means under the control of the operator.

As will be seen upon reference more particularly to Figures 4, 10 and 11, the combined cam and crank disk 36 is provided with an outwardly extending stop lug 104 which coacts with a downwardly extending arm 105 (see also Figure 18), which arm is formed integral with a hub 106 pinned or otherwise secured to a rocker shaft 107 supported in suitable bearings formed in' the up ward extensions 108 and 109 of the main housing 18.

Secured to the shaft 107, between is bearings, is a sleeve 110 (see Figure 18) provided at one side with an arm 111 to which is attached the upper end of a tension spring 112, the lower end of the spring being connected to a fixed portion of the .housing 18. The spring tends to rotate the sleeve 110 clockwise.

Extending outwardly from the opposite side of the sleeve 110 is an arm 113, the outer endwhereof is bifurcated. Said bifurcated end receives the upper reduced end of the bolt 34 (see more particularly Figs. 3 and 10. A nut 114 and washer 115 are mounted upon the upper end of the reduced portion and overlie the upper face of the i bifurcated arm or lever 113. Underlying the arm and encircling the reduced portion is a second washer 116 and encirclingihe stem and bearing against the underface of the washer and the main body of the boltv 34 is a coil spring 117. This arrangement provides a buffer or shock absorbing means in case the parts are not properly positioned for one or another reason. I

Formed integral with the sleeve 110 is a third outwardly extending arm or lever 118, the outer end of which is bifurcated and embraces the upfor reciprocation in a bearing 120 formed in or supported by the casing 18. This plunger at its inner end has secured to it a roller 121 designed to coact with the two cam projections or surfaces 122 and 123 (see more particularly Figures 21 and 23) formed upon a member or cam element 124. Said member 124 is likewise provided with a raised portionl which underlies the bolt 34 (see more particularly Figure 3) and positively holds the same in its elevated position while the head is being raised or lowered by hand or through the friction clutch. It also holds the bolt out of locking relation should the bolt connections, by any reason, be broken and thus prevents the closing of the press except and only when the head is brought down into pressing relation with the buck prior to the application of heavy pressure. The parts are so proportioned that when heavy pressure is to be applied through the gearing the raised portion 125 passes out of contact with the lower end of the-locking bolt or plunger 34.

The member 124 and the member 80 are pro f vided respectively with semi-circular seats 126 and 127,.which, when the two elements are in position, embrace the axles of spindles 29 (see Figure 3) and are thus caused to rotate by reason of the connection of said members to the hub which in turn is secured to the main The elements are secured through suitable operating shaft 2.5. together by screws 128 passing openings formed therein.

Connected to the member 105 (see Figures 1, 2 and 18) is a rod 129 which at its upper endis pivotally attached to a plate 130 (Figure 14) fulcrumed upon a shaft 131 secured in the main frame of the machine. To the upper portion of said plate 130 there is pivotally attached a link 132 which is likewise attached at its upper end to a bell-crank lever 147 fulcrumed, upon the upward extension of the main frame, as at 148. Extending forwardly from the upper end of this bell-crank lever is a draw rod 149, which at its i forward end (see more particularlyFigures 13,

14 and 15) is connected through a clevis 150' to the lower end of a lever 151 fulcrumed upon a pin or shaft 152 mounted in the upper portion of a bracket, denoted generally by 153, the lower end whereof is secured in place between the ordinary jam nuts 154, 155 mounted upon the upper end of the usual head steaming valve.

Pivotally mounted upon theshaft 152 and'extending toward the forward portion of the press is a hand lever 156 which'has a pair of lugs l5'7 and 158 extending laterally therefrom on opposite sides. The lug 15'7 underlies an overhanging portion of the lever 151 so that as the hand lever 156 is pushed upwardly the'lug 15' I'will rock the lever and draw the rod 149forwardly and actuate the other parts allied therewith, as

' will appear later on.

Pivoted on thepin 152 is-a lever 159, the forward end of which stands in the path of the lug 1.58 while the rear end of the lever is provided with an opening through which stem 160 of the head steaming valve extends as isusual.

A spring 161 normally draws this lever 159 downwardly and closes off the steam valve as is usual. If desired the steam valve may be opened through means other than the lever 156, as for instance through a lever 162, fulcrumed upon the shaft 152 and overlying the forward endof the lever 159. Said-lever'162 may beattached to a hand lever or a foot lever as desired, whereby it may be operated to produce a steaming action.

As will be seen upon reference to Figure 2, the usual handle employed to draw the head downwardly and into contact with the buck or the Operation The operation of the press may be briefly stated as follows, it being kept in mind that the press may be closed" either by handor through actuation of the friction clutch, one element of which is constantly rotated by the motor, and will be opened through power means as well as by the springs 11. Also that when it is closed, either through power or by hand, heavy pressure may be exerted upon the goods through power multiplying mechanism, to-wit:tl1e gearing and the toggle. 7

Assuming that the parts-are in the position shown in Figures 1 and '7 with the head fully elevated, and it desired to lower the head through the operation of the friction clutch, the operator will depress the foot lever 96 and through the rod 95 draw the arm 94 downwardly and likewise impart a counter-clockwise movement to the arm or lever 91. This throws the arm or lever 89 to the right (Fig. 7) and forces the face 101 thereof into contact with the roller 88 carried upon the arm 86. Movement of the arm 86 in a counterclockwise direction rocks theshaft 72 in a like direction;this by reason of the fact that the faces 84 and 85 are in contact with each other during such movement. Arm "[0, which is formed integral with the sleeve '71 (which latter is pinned to the shaft 72), is also moved counter-clockwise.

Through the connections interposed between the arm '70 and the lever (Figures 4 and 5) the friction ciutch, one member of which is rotated at all times, is brought into operation. This will lower the head by actuating the combined cam and crank disk 36, the parts then coming to the position shown in Figures 2 and 4, and the stop 104 contacting the lower end of the lever 105 and arresting further movement of the disk 36 and pit-man 35. The friction clutch, however, is still operative and slips by reason of the fact that roller 88 is still in contact with the face 101 and thus holds the parts in clutch actuating relation until heavypressure is applied or the head released. a

If the head is not looked under heavy pressure and the foot is removed from the treadle lever 96 the partsjust mentioned, due to the spring 99, will return to normal position while the main springs", as 11, on the pr as will pull the head back to its wide open posi When, however, after bringing the head into pressing relation as previously described, it is desired to apply heavy pressure the operator, while holding the head down by the handle 163 (as he would naturally do although such holding is not necessary), pushes up on the lever 156 and in so doing, through the connections before described, draws the arm 105 out of contact with the stop lug 104 upon the element 36. At the same time the member 113 is' rocked downwardly and the bolt 34 enters one of the recesses between the teeth 33 of the member 32 (Figure 12) thereby causing the gearing to come into operation to drive the shaft 25 and apply heavy pressure through the power multiplying gearing, the shaft and the .toggle mechanism. Atthe same time the cam elements and 124 are caused to rotate and the projection 122 moves from the roller 121 and allows such roller to drop into the valley or recess intermediate said projections 122 and 123 at which time, through the connection of the parts, the spring 112 will draw the bolt 34 upwardly and disrupt the connection between the gearing and the shaft 25. The press may remain in this position with the heavy pressure on as long as desired.

When the parts are in the position where heavy pressure may be applied through the gearing, and the arm 105 is moved out of contact with thestop 104 as above noted, the combined cam and crank disk 36 will rotate and the nose X thereof. will contact the roller 100, swinging the 'arm 89 outwardly and permitting the roller 88 to move upwardly into the position shown in Fig. 10. This movement releases the friction clutch, allowing the shaft 60 to rotate and withdraw pressure from the movable frictional element 48. As the combined crank disk and cam 36 continues its rotation and the roller 79 rides onto the cam 81 the lever or arm '76 will be raised and the shaft 72 rotated counter-clockwise, but owingto the lost motion connection between the shaft '72 and the lever 86 the lever 86 will not be actuated. The weight 87, of course, tends to move the lever 86 clockwise and to hold the face out of contact with the face 84 when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 11.

When the heavy pressure is to be released the operator again pushes up on the hand lever 156, thereby raising the roller 121 from the depression between the projections 122 and 123 while at the same time throwing the bolt'34 down into one of the notches between the teeth 33, again locking the gearing into driving relation with the shaft 25. This locking relation will be maintained so long as the roller 121 rests upon the member 123,

, and thus the head is initially opened through gear operation. As the cams continue their rotation the roller 79 comes into contact with the cam face 81 raising the plunger '77 and rocking the lever 76 upwardly thereby again bringing the friction clutch into operation through the arm '70, the arm 65, and the interposed connectionsbetween 70 and 65. The frictional'drive willbe held in operative relation by the cam surface 81 until the head is fully raised, at which time the cam surface moves from under the roller '79 and allows the parts, urged by the spring 76 to come to rest. 9

Should the operator have kept the foot lever 96 depressed during the opening movement of the press head, as just described, the friction clutch actuating mechanism controlled by the foot lever will be in the position as indicated in dotted lines in Figure '7. From this it will be noted that the roller is out of engagement with the cam 36 and arm 89 is out of engagement with the roller 88, and consequently the arm 86. This arrangement of parts is designed to prevent an unanticipated descent of the head at the end of the head opening'cycle, should the operator inadvertently keep the foot lever 96 depressed during the power actuated opening of the press head. It therefore becomes necessary for the operator, when he again desires the" friction clutch to be brought intooperation to lower the head, to raise his foot from the foot lever and again depress it. When the operators foot is raised from the foot lever 96 the arms 91 and 89 are restored to the full line position shown in Figure '7 through the action of springs 98 and 99.

As above noted, there is present in the machine as illustrated a head steaming valve and this is utilized in forming a support for the actuating lever, which lever has the dual purpose or function of bringing into operation the heavy pressure applying means and the steaming valve. Should the press be constructed without such head steaming valve the bracket 153 would, of course, be directly secured to the head.

Although not shown, the usual vacuum-producing means may be'utilized.

The presence of the-handle 163, in addition to the upwardly moving lever 156, will, as above noted, naturally cause the operator to grasp both handles. This is particularly so when he is standing on the treadle lever 96 or on the steam vacuum levers (not shown) ;-this with a view of steadying himself.

The machine is also capable of being employed to pat the goods imposed upon the buck and where silks and such fabrics are being treated the heavy pressure applying mechanism may not be brought into operation.

What is claimed is: v

1. In a garment press, the combination of twopressing members, one movable relatively to the'other; a continuously operating motor; a'friction clutch; gearing independent of said clutch; a shaft associated with said clutch and gearing; connections between the shaft andthe movable pressing element for moving the latter; and means for rendering either the clutch or the gearing effective to drive the shaft.

2. In a power operated garment press, the combination of two pressing members, one movable relatively to the other and adapted to be moved toward final pressing position at'a speed relatively rapid as compared to the speed of the final pressing movement; constantly operating andnonreversing power actuated means for imparting such rapid closing movement to the movable pressing element; power multiplying means for applying relatively heavy pressure to the V movable pressing element after it is brought into initial pressing relation with the other member; and means for automatically arresting movement of the power multiplying means to maintain the pressure applying position of the press. I

3. A press as set forth in claim 2, wherein the power actuating means for closing the press includes a friction clutch.

.4. .A press as set forth in claim 2, wherein the power multiplying means for applying heavy pressure includes a gear reduction train and a toggle. "5. In agarment pressfthe combination of a pair of pressing members, one movable relatively to the other; a motor; a friction clutch associated with the motor; means acting at all times to move the clutch to inoperative position; gearing also associated with the motor and normally free of any driving connection therewith; means acting to maintainsuch relation between said gearing and motor; a toggle connected with the movable pressing member; a shaft; connections between the shaft and toggle to actuate the latter; operator operated means for bringing the clutch into drivingrelation with the shaft; and similar means i ator for renderingsaid gearing effective to im- 6. A press as set forth in claim 5, wherein the means for rendering the clutch effective includes foot actuated means.

7. A press as set forth in claim 5, wherein'the means for rendering the gearing effective includes a lever mounted upon the movable pressing member. I 1

8. In a garment press,.the combination of a buck; a head cooperative therewith; frictional driving means for moving the head into pressing relation with the buck; and motor driven means for applying heavy pressure to the head when the parts are so positioned.

9. Ina garment press, the combination of cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable; a continuously operating motor; a friction clutch, incl'uding'two cooperative elements, one element whereof is continuously driven by the motor and the other element whereof is normally free; a toggle interposed between a fixed portion of the press and the movable pressing element; a shaft; connections between the shaft and toggle; connections between said shaft and the continuously driven element of the clutch; and means under the control of the operator to render the clutch effective to close the press through straightening of the toggle.

10. In a garment press, the combination of two pressing members, one movable relatively to the other; a constantly operating motor; a friction clutch embodying two cooperative elements; connections between said clutch and the motor for continuously driving one element of such clutch; a shaft with which the other element of the clutch is connected, operator operated means for bringing the clutch elements into operative relation to drive the shaft; and means interposed be tween said shaft and'the movable pressing element for shifting the latter into closing position.

11. In a garment press, the combination of two pressing members, one movable relatively to the other; a toggle interposed between the movable member and a fixed portion of the press;- a shaft; connections intermediate the shaft and the toggle for operating the latter when the shaft is ro-' tated; a motorya friction clutch embodying-two elements, one of which is constantly driven by the motor; means under the control of the operator for establishing connection between the other clutch element and the shaft; differential gearing, one element whereof is constantly rotated by the motor, said gearing being mounted upon the shaft and normally free of any driving connection'with the shaft; and means under control of the operpart rotary motion to the shaft.

12. In a garment press, the combination of two pressing members; one movable relatively to the other; a toggle connected to the movable member anda fixed-portion of the press; a shaft; means interposed between the shaft and the toggle foroperating the latter; a motor; a friction clutch for driving the shaft, one member of which clutch is constantly rotated by the motor;

7 means under the control of the operator for bringing said driven element of the friction clutch into driving relation. with the shaft; a stop-for arresting movement of the toggle when the movable element has been brought into pressing relation with the other pressing member while ,per-. mitting the clutch to slip; and means independent of the clutch under the control of the operator for exerting final heavy pressure between the pressing member.

13., In a garment press, the combinat on of a main frame; a buck mounted thereon; a head; a head-carrying lever fulcrumed on the frame; toggle means interposed between a fixed portion of the frame and said lever; a shaft'supported by the frame of the machine; a pitman connected to the toggle; a crank disc carried by the shaft and connected to the pitman, said crank disk having a cam surface formed upon its periphery; a motor; a frictional clutch including two elements, one element whereof is driven by said motor and the other element whereof is carried by the shaft; means under the control of the operator for rendering said clutch effective to impart rotary motion to the shaft, said means embodying a lever supported for movement toward and from the cam surface aforesaid and provided at its lower end with a roller, said lever likewise having stop faces formed adjacent its lower end; an arm fulcrumed upon a second shaf said arm likewise having a roller mounted in' its outer end and designed to coast with the stop faces aforesaid; a second cam mountedyupon the first named shaft; a plunger mounted for endwise movement in line with said cam; a'lever connected to the second shaft, the outer end of the lever bearing upon the upper portion of the plunger; a lost motion connection between said last named shaft and the arm fulcrumed thereon; and a weight acting to move the free end of the arm upwardly, the surface on the crank disk and that of the other cam being so angularly disposed about the shaft upon which they. are mounted that the clutch will be thrown out of operation when the head is fully opened and prevented from further operation until the operator releases the clutch-engaging means prior to again actuating said means. s

14. In a garment press, the combination of a mainframe; a buck mounted thereon; a head; a head-carrying lever; a toggle connected to said lever and to the frame; a constantly operat ing motor; a main driving shaft; a normally free friction clutch transmitting motion from the motor to the shaft when the clutch is rendered effective; a combined cam and crank disk secured upon the driving shaft; a ,pitman interposed between said disk and the toggle; and operator operated means for rendering the clutch effective, said means embodying an element cooperative with the cam aforesaid to prevent reengagement 'of the clutch which is automatically released when the head is fully opened until said operator operated means has been released.

15. In a garment press, the combination of a main frame; a buck mounted thereon; a head; a head-carrying lever fulcrumed on the frame; a toggle interposed between the frame and lever; a motor; a main driving shaft; a clutch, one element thereof being constantly driven by the motor and the other splined to the driving shaft; a rocker shaft supported by the frame; a lever pivoted on said rocker shaft having one end thereof weighted; a roller carried at the other end, said lever having a stop shoulder or face formed thereon; a coacting stop shoulder carried by and movable with the rocker shaft, said shoulders being free to move apart to produce ailost motion connection; an elbow lever supported adjacent the lever aforesaid, said elbow lever having stop faces formed on the end of its inner arm adapted tocoact with the roller of the first lever; a roller mounted upon the inner end of the elbow lever; means for rocking said elbow lever and moving its inner end inwardly; a cam surface engaging Said last named roller to move it and the lever outwardly to free the other lever; and means interposed between the rocker shaft and the clutch element splined to the drive shaft to'move such element into operative relation with the other clutch member.

16. In a garment press, the combinationof a main frame; a buck thereon; a head; a headcarrying lever fulcrumed on the frame; a toggle interposed between the lever and frame; a driving shaft; a crank disk; a pitman interposed between said disk and the toggle; a constantly rotating motor; planetary gearing including two sun gears, one driven by the motor; an element secured to the shaft upon which the planet gears are mounted; a lever mounted on the head; and connections between the lever and the second sun gear for arresting rotation of the latter and thereby imparting motion to the driving shaft through the planetary gears and the element upon which they are mounted.

17, A press as setforth in claim 16, wherein means is provided for automatically arresting movement of the driving shaft to maintain pressure applying position of the parts.

l8. A press as set forth in claim 16, wherein means is provided for releasing the connections between the lever and the second sun gear when the parts come to rest in pressure exerting position.

19. A press as set forth in claim 16, wherein the lever on the head has an upward movement to cause it to function.

20. A press as set forth in claim 16, wherein means is provided for releasing the connections between the lever and the second sun gear allowing the parts to come to rest and in position to be again set in motion by pushing the lever upwardly.

21. A press as set forth in claim 16, wherein a friction clutch is employed to close the head upon the buck, the crank disk is provided with a stop lug, and the connections between the lever and the sun gear'ernbody an arm cooperative with the stop.

22. In a garment press; the combination of a main frame; a buck; a head; a head-carrying lever fulcrumed on the frame; a toggle interposed between the lever and frame; a drive shaft; a pitman driven from the shaft and connected to the toggle; a constantly operating motor; a friction clutch, one element whereof is driven at all times bythe motor, the secondelement of the clutch being splined to the shaft; a foot lever; connections between said lever and the second clutch element acting to bring the members into driving relation; a cam rotatable with the shaft and likewise cooperative with said connections to hold the clutch elements driving relation; planetary gearing associated with the shaft, the supports for the planet gears being secured to and movable with the shaft and one of the sun gears being constantly driven by the motor; a toothed member rotatable with the second sun gear; a reciprocating belt or pin mounted for engagement with said member; a second camrotatable with the shaft, said cam having two marginal projections with a valley therebetween;' a plunger mounted for endwise movement toward and from said second cam; a rocker shaft; a sleeve secured thereto; an arm extending outwardly to each side of said sleeve and cooperatively connected to the bolt and the plunger respectively; a hand lever mounted on the head;

connections between said lever and the rocker shaft; and means for normally rocking the shaft in opposition to the movement imparted thereto by the hand lever.

23. A press as set forth in claim 22, wherein the driving shaft is provided at one end with a combined crank disk and cam, said disk being connected to the pitman and likewise provided with a stop lug coacting with an arm forming part of the connections between the hand lever. and the rocker shaft, the cam cooperating with an element of connections between the foot lever and the second clutch element.

24. In a power operated garment press, the combination of two pressing members, one movable relatively to the other and adapted to be moved toward final pressing position at a speed relatively rapid as compared to the speed of the final pressing movement; a constantly operating non-reversing motor; means interposed between the motor and the movable pressing member for imparting said rapid closing movement thereto; and means likewise interposed between said motor and the movable pressing element for thereafter imparting a relativelyslow motion to the head to apply a final heavy pressure.

25. In a power operated garment press, the combination of two pressing members, one movable relatively to the other and adapted to be moved toward final pressing position at a speed relatively rapid as compared to the speed of the final pressing movement; power actuated means including a constantly operating non-reversible motor for imparting said rapid closing movement to the movable pressing element; and power actuated means likewise actuated by the motor for applying relatively heavy pressure to the movable pressing element, said means imparting movement to the movable element, said movement being relatively slow as compared to that of the closing movement.

26. In a garment press, the combination of a buck; a head movable relatively thereto; a head steaming valve carried by the head; power actuated means for applying pressure to the head; a lever cooperative with the steaming valve to actuate the latter when the lever is moved in one direction; and means interposed between the lever and the power means for throwing the latter into operation when the lever is moved in the opposite direction.

27. A press as set forth in claim 26, wherein the 'lever is moved upwardly to throw the power means into operation.

28. In a garment press, the combination of a buck; a head; a head steaming valve carried by the head; a bracket supported by the head steaming valve; a lever fulcrurned adjacent said valve, said lever being provided with oppositely disposed laterally. extending projections; a lever having one end associated with the stern of the head steaming valve, the opposite end thereof underlying one of said projections; a third lever, one end of which overlies the other projection; power operated means for closing the head upon the buck; and a connectionbetween the third lever and said power operated means for bringing the latter into operation when the first named lever is moved upwardly.

WILLIAM STROBRIDGE. 

